Why I think clips are better
I know tungsten tape has been the standard paddle mod forever, but, after messing around with clip-style weights, I’m honestly starting to think Pickle Clips are a better solution, especially for these newer Gen 4 foam-core paddles.
Concentrated weight hits different
A 3g tungsten strip and a 3g clip may weigh the same on paper, but they do not feel the same once they are on the paddle. Most tungsten tape is usually around 0.5g to 1g per inch, so getting to 3g means spreading that weight across a longer section of the edge guard. A clip puts that same weight in one compact spot, slightly raised and slightly away from the paddle edge. Because of that, it feels like the weight has more leverage and more effect per gram.
That is why I think a 3g or 4g clip can feel more impactful than a 3g strip. It gives you that stability and sweet-spot boost without needing to run long strips of tungsten all over the edge guard. On Gen 4 foam paddles, where the core already feels softer, floatier, and sometimes a little more trampoline-like, concentrated edge weight seems to help lock in the paddle face better. The paddle feels more stable on blocks, counters, resets, and off-center hits.
The sweet spot feels bigger
To me, the biggest upgrade is the sweet spot. With tungsten tape, you can definitely open up the sweet spot, but you usually need a decent amount of tape to really feel it, which can impact the swingweight/ head heaviness. With clips, the effect feels more immediate because the mass is more focused. It is almost like adding small anchor points to the paddle instead of wrapping the whole thing.
These clips also make a lot of sense on hybrid and widebody paddles, which usually feel a little poppier and more reactive than elongated shapes. Adding concentrated weight around the sides can help tone down that extra pop, make the paddle feel more settled, and open up the sweet spot even more. For me, that translates to better touch on dinks, softer resets, and more confidence on off-center contact without making the paddle feel overly sluggish.
Best clip placements
The placement also matters a lot.
If you want max power and plow-through, I would place them around 2 and 10, but slightly lower than the very top corners. Basically, above 3 and 9. This gives the paddle more drive, bigger serves, better depth, and a bigger hitting zone.
My preference: If you're the most balanced setup, 3 and 9 is the safest starting point. This is where you feel the most stability on off-center hits. Counters feel cleaner, blocks feel more solid, and the paddle twists less in your hand.
If you want better stability without adding too much swing weight, try placing them a little above 4 and 8. This gives you some of that sweet-spot expansion and added stability, but it keeps the paddle faster and more controlled. For players who care about hand speed, kitchen battles, and quick counters, this might be the best placement.
Easier to test than tungsten tape
That is where I think clips beat tungsten tape. They let you test all these positions instantly. You can move them around, hit with them, adjust again, and actually feel the difference before committing. With tungsten tape, you cut it, stick it, peel it, re-stick it, cover it with edge tape, and then it starts looking messy.
The Slyce Slydrs downside
Slyce Slydrs are probably the most polished version of this idea. They clamp on, look clean, and are more practical if you want something finished and adjustable. The downside is the price. Around $30 plus shipping for one set is kind of a bummer, especially when a lot of us are already spending too much on paddles.
The other small downside with Slyce Slydrs is that you need to carry that tiny little key/tool to open and adjust them. That sounds fine in theory, but in real life, it is one more small thing to keep track of in your bag. And let’s be honest, most of us are probably more likely to lose that key before we lose the actual weights.
3D-printed clips work too
I have some 3D-printed clips that are 4g each, and honestly, they work really well for testing. They are not as sleek as Slydrs, but they prove the concept. A small concentrated clip can change the paddle feel more than you’d expect.
One caution before using clips
The only caution I would add is that clips can get loose if you constantly move them around, slide them too much, or use them on an edge guard that they do not fit perfectly. If you are experimenting, that is fine. But once you find the exact spot you like, I would stop moving them so much.
And if you really love the setup, you can make it semi-permanent. Add a tiny bit of Gorilla Glue once you are sure about the placement, and now you basically have a fixed-weight setup, kind of like the idea behind paddles such as the Selkirk Boomstik, where weight is part of the design rather than something taped on afterward.
My recommended setups
Max power: clips around 2 and 10, slightly lower than the top corners
Balanced power and stability: clips at 3 and 9 (My recommendation)
Control with less swing-weight impact: clips slightly above 4 and 8
Final thoughts
I still think tungsten tape is useful, especially if you want a cheaper and more traditional setup. But for Gen 4 foam paddles, clip weights just feel more efficient. Same grams, bigger effect. Cleaner tuning, easier experimenting, more concentrated mass, and a more noticeable sweet-spot improvement.
Tungsten tape is not dead, but clips might be the better modern paddle mod for Gen 4 paddles.